A vacant department store in Glasgow that has sat empty since 2019 is set to get a new lease on life through a redesigned hotel conversion project. The former Watt Brothers store will be transformed into a hotel after developers revised their original plans following the rejection of an earlier planning application.
The new development approach marks a significant departure from the previous proposal, which featured a heavy, box-like addition on top of the historic building. Hotel specialists ICA have now been brought in to create a design that better respects the character of the B-listed building. The revised scheme acknowledges the building's distinctive northern and southern sections, which are naturally divided by a central lane running through the structure.
The updated design emphasizes substantial setbacks for any rooftop additions, significantly reducing their visual impact on the surrounding streetscape. Instead of the original top-heavy design, the extension to the southern section is now limited to just one story, while a two-story addition will be built on the northern section. This approach aims to minimize the new construction's effect on the historic building's appearance from street level.
ICA representatives explained their more sensitive design philosophy in detail. "Lighter weight columns and beams reduce the impact of the rooftop extension and accommodate increased glazing," the company stated. They added that "the proposed extension incorporates contemporary adaptations of the historic facade. Use of a consistent detail along the eaves line helps unify the overall building design, while additional decorative detailing helps tier the extension to the northern block."
Inside the building, the renovation will streamline the circulation system by removing three secondary staircases while preserving the historically significant main staircases in both the northern and southern blocks. The interior design will pay homage to the building's commercial heritage by incorporating original timber paneling and the brass vacuum money receptacles that were once used to transport cash throughout the department store.
The project represents a more thoughtful approach to adaptive reuse, balancing modern hospitality needs with historical preservation. By working with the building's existing architectural elements rather than overwhelming them, the developers hope to create a hotel that honors the site's past while serving contemporary visitors to Glasgow.
